photo: mike kobal
from the All Girl Skate Jam in Florida March 25, 2001: the most exciting part about the whole thing was hearing my score 9 9 9 from the voices of the judges. it was the best run that whole day it was so rad! i sorta got butterflies but i knew inside that i had my run down for the contest and i was all set. the 4 tricks i did were for the best trick contest. i landed a smith, lipslide, and a crooked grind across the rail on the pyramid. the 4th trick i pulled was a huge 50-50 to 180' out on a 2 foot high ledge in the beginning and at the end of the ledge there was a drop that was like 2 feet taller than i was. so it was a long drop to be exact i had been working on those tricks the day before the big contest. i was the only one that was pulling those tricks the whole time i was there. if i was to give advice about learning these tricks i would say find someone thats close to u and could teach u them. when u get the hang of it keep practicing till u get them down. there was a chik named stephanie who rides for hurley international. she was tearing it all up w/her amazing frontside flips. i liked the skatepark a lot because it had a novice course then an intermidiate course then an advanced course it was awesome. i think its best feature was the flat rail that i did the best tricks on. i had a whole day to practice my run for the contest it was free skate for all the girl riders. i warmed up and put together my run by doing the tricks i felt comfortable w/and knew i could land. i absolutely love florida and if i can go back real soon put me on a plane and send me! we were going to go snorkling but in the end we realized we weren't going to have enough time to. i will be going to new york in july for the next stop of the agsj! Thank you to Hurley, Gallaz Shoes, Jaysboardshop.com, Grind King Truck Co., Coca-Cola Street Team, & Pro-Tec Equipment!
***********************- by Vanessa Torres, California